Rabbi Moshe Boylan
"Im Bechukosai Tailaichu” (Vayikra 26,3). Rashi explains that we would think that this refers to Kiyum HaMitzvos, fulfilling mitzvos. However, this is mentioned later on in this Pasuk. We must say that Im Bechukosai Tailaichu refers to Ameilus BaTorah. Meforshim ask how we see from the words of Im Bechukosai Tailaichu that one must be Ameil BaTorah? We can answer that these words teach us that one must ensure that his whole Mehalech HaChayim, path of life should be based upon the laws of the Torah.
The Rosh Yeshiva zt”l [Rav Shmuel Birnbaum] explained that this does not merely mean that a person will keep the Torah or even spend some time learning Torah. While this is a mitzvah, it is not having Torah as ones entire way of life. Such a person views his learning as a “side point” and only something he also has to do. His dreams at night will not be about Torah, but rather about money or other Gashmiyus things. Even if this person learns Torah to fulfill a mitzvah or to get Olam Haba, he doesn’t view it as his very life (Ki Heim Chayeinu). Such an approach will not allow this person to make the Torah his very way of life (instead of just something he does on the side). Now we understand the answer to our previous question.
If the Torah wants us to have Im Bechukosai Tailaichu, that the Torah should be our very way of life, encompassing our lives and being our reason to live, then this can only be through Ameilus BaTorah, putting great effort into Limud HaTorah. Through Ameilus BaTorah, a person can become a true Ben Torah. He will not merely be a person who has a mitzvah of Limud HaTorah. Rather, his entire essence will be one of Torah, becoming an Adam of Torah. His Limud HaTorah (and his Kiyum HaMitzvos that comes as a result of his Limud HaTorah) will not merely be done do to his obligation or in order to avoid a punishment or get a reward. Rather, such a person’s Torah and Mitzvos will come due to their being his very way of life, his Mehalech HaChaim.
The Rosh Yeshiva gives a mashal: Let us say that a person is going to Eretz Yisroel. If he takes one flight, he will save some money, but he will not get a minyan and may not hear Krias HaTorah. If he lives a life which is not so connected to Torah, and merely keeps the Torah to fulfill it perfunctorily, he will justify to himself that he needs to save money. However, if he views Torah as his very essence and his way of life, then he will not make such Cheshbonos. If this is his way of life he must do his best to fulfill it in the best manner, without making cheshbonos or compromises.
This vort is truly appropriate for the Rosh Yeshiva zt”l, as he lived a life of Im Bechukosai Tailaichu, Shetiheyu Ameilim BaTorah. Even as a young Bochur in Yeshiva, he was known for his great hasmadah and Amalah Shel Torah. When he learned in Shanghai he was moser nefesh to even stay in the Beis Midrash during Bein HaSedarim (the short break in the afternoon). The Mashgiach, Rav Chatzkel Levenstein zt”l said that Rav Shmuel was the one who held up the Mirrer Yeshiva due to his hasmadah at all times.
Once the Rosh Yeshiva’s ainekele, grandchild was getting married to a child of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yeruchem Olshin Shlita (Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood). The Mechutanim wanted to make the chasunah in Lakewood, but the Rosh Yeshiva felt it would be better that it would be in New York, so he would be able to stay in the Mirrer Yeshiva for second Seder. When they told him that this would cost them much more money, the Rosh Yeshiva immediately wrote them a check for this entire amount, so he would be able to stay in Yeshiva for an extra Seder. As we prepare for Matan Torah, we can work on following the path of the Rosh Yeshiva zt”l in Ameilus BaTorah, and through this we will make the Torah our very way of life (including Shemiras HaMitzvos with their Dikdukim). In this zechus we will have a true Kabalas HaTorah and merit the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily.
Sources for this article include “Bekorei Shemo” (Sefer Vayikra) and Kisrah Shel Torah (Rabbi Klein).
